As if my nightmare had finally finished, my eyes shot wide open. My heart raced and my breathing became shallow as panic gripped me. I looked around and saw that the basement where I had been tortured and captured was no longer here. Rather, I have arrived at a new location that is brighter, more animated.
I took stock of my environment, I realized that I am no longer in Louisiana. Instead, the sight of these colossal glittering, golden gates had welcomed me. Those that look sleek and realistic, rather than cheaply made. I don't understand how my enemy have gotten me here. I don't know how I found myself standing before these enormous gates. To make matters worse, the sun is shining directly into my eyes, which is quite unpleasant.
'Lovely' , I thought to myself, 'Just…lovely,'
The sky is a brilliant blue, and clouds are gently drifting by as I stand before a golden gate. My heart was already racing when I realised this couldn't possibly be real. My breathing is becoming increasingly laboured to the point where it's becoming painful to breathe. As if struck by an object of great force, my skull seems to be hammering against my head.
Suddenly, a man with flaming blonde hair stood before me—with wings perched on his back—is making my anxiety levels rise even higher.
Observing more closely, his clothing is long, flowing rob that cascades down his ankles to top it off with a small red bow. Perched atop a golden pedestal, adjacent to a massive golden gate. As I look down, I can make out that the road I'm sitting on is likewise composed of gold. Along with a white halo floating on his head.
"After all this suffering? Haven't I gone through enough?" I said, bewildered by the hallucination before me.
"Hi there! Welcome to Hea-Excuse me, what?!" A look of terror spread across the porcelain face of the blonde as he yelled out. "No, I didn't drug you! Why would I ever subject you to such torture? This is the safest place you could imagine. Why would we subject our winners to such treatment?"
"Winners?!" I exclaimed, "You scalawag, are you delusional? Who could possibly come out on top in a scenario like this?! After being tormented for days by my enemies, how could I possibly trust anyone!?"
"Mam', if you just give me your name." The one with the blonde hair continued, frantically flipping through the pages of his book. "I can give you a proper explanation and tell you what's going on-"
"Like hell I would!" I yelled and jumped up from where I was standing as I quickly moved into defence. Keeping an eye on him to determine his next move regarding his book. I took a defensive standing, staring at the man in front of me. After trying to check my belongings for any remaining hidden weapons but concluding that I did not have any. Which irritated me even more.
"I swear, if you try to step anywhere close to me I am going to hurt you."
A large, exaggerated sigh was breathed out by the blonde. As I watched him squeeze his nose with his free hand, I saw that he was on the verge of losing it. Exactly what I expect from my new enemy.
"Oh my goodness, could you please just be quiet and-"
Before the blonde can continue, the air became suddenly heavy. As if someone menacing had just appeared. The feeling is so strong, the hair on the back of my neck risen and my breath catch in my throat. A soothing, elegant voice called out to us, causing me to anxiously scanned my surroundings to see where this sound is coming from.
"Saint Peter," said an angelic voice, "We can take it from here."
As I would raise my eyes to meet the female voice, I would be greeted by these magnificent, intimidating beings. As their form gently flew down, I couldn't describe what they looked like. Their shapes imprinted in my mind as how surreal it was; I just can't get them out of my head. When the two creatures realised it was too much, they just nodded to one other and exchanged looks. Quickly, a burst of light transformed their once-monstrous shape into something more humanlike.
"Greetings April Lynn Ambrose," The tall woman said, "I am Sera, the high Seraphim of Heaven. You being here is truly a blessing."
I stared at Sera, the winged creature, and noticed that she had taken on a very human appearance. Her feather-like hair, which faded to a muted blue at the ends, complemented her grey face. Those intense, azure eyes of hers. Six heavenly wings adorned her back behind this. A long-sleeved garment adorned with grey crystal designs hung over her figure, while white accents adorned her wrists and shoulders.
Soon after, the younger version of the winged figure jumped up and down. Her expression betrayed her anticipation of finally meeting someone after what seemed like an eternity. As she swooped down towards me, a small shriek of delight would escape her lips.
"Oh my goodness hello! It is a privilege to meet a hero like you!" The younger angel said, reaching her hand out towards me. "My name is Emily, the other Seraphim. It doesn't matter if you call me Em, Emmy, E, or any other name!
"S-Seraphim? As in the same creatures from the bible?" I stuttered, taking in the new information, "Hold on, did you just also say H-Heaven? What are you talking about?"
"Before our good friend here was interrupted," Sera said, looking down at the blonde known as 'Saint Peter', who blushed and looked away. "He was attempting to get your name so he could verify that it is on the official list of winners. But considering he couldn't handle the situation, that is why we are here. In order to facilitate a more...smooth transition."
Looking back and forth between the winged creatures. I started to shake my head, unsure how to take in this new information.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, taking a step back. "Heaven? Transition? I'm not dead, that's not possible." Unsure of my emotions, I struggled to comprehend everything. Shaking my head every word that these so called 'Seraphim' said, sounds crazy. "This must be some sick trick. I know my captors messed with my mind for the last couple of days. But they couldn't have messed with me that badly to the point where they made me believe I was dead. "
Upon hearing that last word, I glanced up and noticed that Emily's face saddened. With gentle steps, she would come over to me and hold my hand. Emily's way of trying to calm me down.
"April…I don't know how to say this," the young girl said, looking deep into my eyes with those wide, blue orbs of hers. "But you're already dead. You passed away on earth protecting those in need. Because of those acts of good, that is why now your soul is here now. In heaven where you belong."
With each words Emily said, I tried to read her body movements and lips to detect any lies escaping from her lips. Still, with every word that went by, I didn't detect any lies coming from the angel's mouth. The truth was contained in every word she spoke.
Which scared me even more.
"Y-You're lying!" I said, taking my hand away from her grasp. "Look! Look at these cuffs you had on me, how could you lie to me when you tortured me all this time and-"
My eyes widen in shock as I look down at my hands and notice that my wrists are completely bare. To be more specific, the realisation that my body had sustained no further harm hit me like a tonne of bricks. Patting myself down, there are not only no longer injuries on my body, but I haven't felt this good in health in well..years. Once again, I felt my chest constricted. A wave of terror washed over me again as the panic is now staring to set in.
After falling to my knees, I felt like I was going to throw up. My body was overwhelmed with a wave of worry and panic. I didn't know how to feel, not sure how to take in this new found information. Looking down at the floor, I failed to notice that it was actually made of gold—so shiny that I could see my reflection. Causing my eyes to widen even more.
As I stared at my reflection, I was speechless by what I saw. It seemed as if my body had been transformed into something completely different, with none of my natural traits remaining.
My black hair had magically transformed into a glowing shade of blue. My eye went from having brown eyes to ruby red orbs. My tanned complexion seemed to glow. Raising my hand to touch my ears, It was now substituted with fluffy doe ears adorned with a white pattern along the fur.
To add the final cherry on top, I felt something that is attached to my back and started to move. While the muscles in my shoulders tensed and relaxed. Something arose from behind me that felt heavy. Glancing back, I saw a pair of wings emerging from my back; matching the same colour as my hair, with a subtle golden tinge that illuminated my features. My wings are larger than Saint Peter's, more pronounced than Emily's, and smaller than Sera's. Feelings my wings flap once, the halo started to shine, golden halo teardrop spikes pointing up and down from each other.
"Is…this me?" With my grip on my chest tightened again, I questioned. "Why do I look like this?!"
Raising my head, I would look up towards the older woman. Tears starting to swell in my eyes as I pointed at myself with such disbelief and hurt, "Am… I really dead?"
"I'm afraid so," Sera said, her voice filled with concern as she stood beside Emily. She extended her hand in an attempt to help me up. "Please April, I know it's a lot to take in. But if you just come with us pass these gates. We are more than happy to answer all of your questions."
Looking back at her hand, I felt a moment of defeat. Closing my eyes, I was about to reach out and accept Sera's hand. But suddenly, the same headache returned. This time, I felt like someone was launching an all-out assault on my mind. A name that kept repeating in my mind over and over again until I finally said it out loud. Yearning to be called.
However, nothing came out.
I blinked a few times in confusion., unsure what just happened. Looking up, I realized that the heavenly beings were starring at me with difference expressions.
First, Saint Peter and Emily looked at me. Their faces looking confused with the name that was called out. More worried if maybe processing that I'm dead as brought me to the point of insanity.
But then, there was Sera.
Looking at her, I would notice that her expression different than the others. More so shocked than the others. Reading her body language, her eyes we're looking at me as though a plan went wrong, that I was about to say something I wasn't suppose too.
I was about to ask Sera what was wrong, until Saint Peter cut off my thoughts.
"Are…you ok?" Saint Peter asked.
"I'm…not too sure." I admitted, scratching the back of my head. "I was about to say something…but I suppose I forgot what it was."
Looking up, I would see that Sera still has her hand reached out towards me. Her offer still stands as she still wanted to offer me a helping hand. Feeling my cheeks heat up, I would look back down in embarrassment. Finally taking her help and she helped me up.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to leave your hand floating like that." I said, not standing up on my feet, "I hope you can forgive my rude behaviour, I'm just…processing right now."
"I understand," Sera said, her expression now changing into a warm expression, "it's not easy to take in information about the past. Especially when your life ended so suddenly"
With a gentle touch on my back, she would signal for me to proceed towards the golden gates. As the gates progressively open, other beings, like seraphims and myself, began to wandering around. The City of Angels glitters like a beacon, beckoning me to come and be a part of it.
"Come, lets get going. Let Emily and I at least accompany to your new residents. We understand there is a lot to take in. So let us at least do this part for you."
As I took a step forward, I felt someone grab onto my arm. Looking down, I could see Emily had the cutest smile on her face. Jumped up and down excitedly and started to pull me further past the gates.
"Plus!" Emily exclaimed excited, "it gives you an idea on what the night life could possibly look like. Oh, oh, oh, maybe we can even stop by for a quick snack and-"
Chuckling softly, I would nod my head. Looking at the two Seraphims and they tried to strick a conversation with me. As I listened, we would start to converse with one another, trying our best to move past our awkward meeting at the golden gates. It's still a lot to process, but at least when I talk to these two, it gives me a sense of normalcy. Trying to move past the idea that I am no longer alive.
"Gosh, I am so excited to show you around the city!" Emily continued on, squealing in delight. "When I heard you are joining us, I wanted to get to know you more, learn what it was like as a woman such as yourself to work in such a field!"
Letting the younger seraphim continue her words, I would do my best to active listen to her words. Doing the best I can to keep up with the conversation as I answered any questions she may have for me.
Even though I tried not to look away from them while they spoke, I couldn't help but glance back and see the Golden Gate starting to close behind me. Watching those gates close, I couldn't help but to feel...
Sad.
As though the moment those gates close; it feels as though I have lost my chance to do something big for myself.
What's even worse, is i'm mentally trying to figure out why I wanted to call out someone's name. No matter how much I try to remember who it was about, nothing seems to come to mind.
The more I thought about the possible name, a small headache that is forming in my head. It's weird, it felt like the moment I was about to say someone's name, it was like some sort of curse.
Pondering more on the thought of the mysterious name, another thought hit me as well as more and more topics started to fun through my mind;
I'm dead. I'm now in the afterlife. It feels as though it doesn't matter anymore as I made it to the promised land. It'll take some time to get used to this new place which will now be my new forever home. I'm sure I'll make new friends and live a happy life...
Yet why do I feel like someone should be here with me?